HOWEVER DUBIOUSLY we may regard some of the advantages
supposed to have been gained from the economic depression, there can be no doubt of the value of some others, including the historic American buildings survey, which was established to aid unemployed architects. It will be a short lived project, probably terminating in May with the civil works administration; but be fore that time the thousand architects organized throughout the nation may be expected to make substantial progress toward the goal. Moreover, we can hope that the government's commencement of the work, and recognition of its value, may lead eventually to further and more thorough researches.
The project is administered by the bureau of national parks, buildings, and reservations of the department of the interior, with Thomas C. Vint, chief architect of the bureau, as active head. Assisting Mr. Vint is a national advisory committee, com posed of the following: Dr. Leicester B. Holland (chairman of the American Institute of Architects-committee on preservation of historic buildings and chief, fine arts division, Library of Congress) Washington, D. C.; John Gaw Meem (architect) Sante Fe, New Mexico; William G. Perry (architect) Boston, Massachusetts; Albert Simons (architect) Charleston, South Carolina; Dr. Herbert E. Bolton (professor of history, University of California, past president of the American Historical Association) Berkeley, California; Miss Harlean James (executive secretary American Civic Association) Washington, D. C.; and Dr. Waldo G. Leland (executive secretary American Council of Learned Societies).
The scope of the project can be presented by quoting from
several official bulletins:
A qualified group of architects and draftsmen will be enlisted to study, measure and draw the plans, elevations and de tails of the important antique buildings of the United States. Our architectural heritage of buildings from the last four centuries diminishes at an alarming rate. The ravages of fire and the natural elements, together with the demolition and alterations caused by real estate "improvements," form an inexorable tide of destruction destined to wipe out the great majority of the buildings which knew the beginning and first flourish of the
nation. The comparatively few structures which can be saved
by extraordinary effort and presented as exhibition houses and
museums, or altered and used for residences or minor commercial uses comprise only a minor percentage of the interesting and important architectural specimens which remain from the old days. It is the responsibility of the American people that if the great number of our antique buildings must disappear through economic causes, they should not pass into unrecorded oblivion.
The general scope of the project contemplates measuring
and recording the complete field of early American architecture
from the earliest aboriginal structures to the latest buildings of
the Greek revival period. The date selected as a final terminus
is 1860, but this is more or less arbitrary as there may be individual buildings of a later date of a character worth recording, and on the other hand, buildings erected before this date may not necessarily be of a character to make it advisable to record them. Buildings of historic importance, such as birth places of statesmen, eminent artists, or scientists, will be re corded even though their erection was subsequent to the date set.It is intended that the survey shall cover structures of all types, from the smallest utilitarian structures to the largest and most monumental. Barns, bridges, mills, toll houses, jails, and in short, buildings of every description are to be included so that a complete picture of the culture of the time as reflected in the buildings of the period may be put on record.
Absolute priority will be given to buildings of architectural
or historical interest, or buildings of unusual type, or buildings
exhibiting unique or exceptional features of plan or design
which have not been restored or remodelled and which are in
imminent danger of destruction or material alteration.
It will be proper to encourage the designation of informal
working committees of local historical or patriotic clubs and
societies to cooperate in this work, to assist in locating buildings
appropriate for inclusion, and to prepare the supplemental
historical data.
The work of producing the measurements, drawings and
photographs is done by architects, architectural draftsmen and
photographers through employment by the civil works administration.